t^t (Bn33fg 



from the outset in the same manner as one would 

 treat a well- trained hunting hound, save that spe- 

 cial care was taken that they should be fed before 

 approaching either the men's dining-table in the 

 ranch house or the lunching group of a fishing- 

 party. On their bench at the foot of the dining- 

 table, they never were indecorous, never snatched 

 at any food, but would sit in dignified silence until 

 called by name. Upon the sound of its name, the 

 invited bear would lumber down to the floor, 

 shuffle along to the chair of the inviter, and, having 

 been given and somewhat gently received, the 

 promised confection, would promptly return to its 

 seat. It is true that the returning bear would not 

 infrequently in passing, give playful, if vigorous, 

 pokes into the bodies of its fellows, but none of the 

 blows were aimed at or reached a human being. 



"The grizzlies were true companions, for they 

 had all the affectionate faithfulness of the best of 

 dogs, intelligence far beyond that of any horse, and 

 endless sense of humor. As to intelligence, they re- 

 peatedly used their brains in a manner which per- 

 haps is best exemplified by the following instance 

 of another grizzly which I watched years ago: An 

 animal which, discovering a half-filled food-can, 



224 



